The uses of the Essential Questions are central to improving our PLCs. By breaking down each question we can see how they relate to our PLC Data Discourse Matrix. Essential Question 1: What do you want your students to know?
This is the first step to PLCs. This question deals with planning, both as a PLC team and as an individual teacher. Effective Educators always have two eyes on planning, the teams plan and their own class plan. As a team a plan can be devised for sharing of resources and for common assessments. This leads to the second question. Essential Question 2: How will you know if they have learned it?
Without this question being asked AND answered a PLC can never be effective and move into quadrant 4. This question is central to the value of the data the PLC will discuss and analyze. Essential Question 3: What will you do when they do not know it? and Essential Question 4: What will you do if they already know it?
The third and fourth essential questions are similar; ‘What will you do if they do not or already know it?’ These questions paired with the effective use of protocols enable PLCs to improve the value of their discourse. The use of protocols CAN NOT be overlooked in this equation. PLCs can function for years but not be effective until they employ the use of protocols. Protocols are designed to get to the heart of a topic and they keep the PLC discussion on topic. Think of protocols are an express highway with only a few exits. This express highway will get you to your destination in the shortest and easiest amount of time.
Essential Question 1: What do you want your students to know?
This is the first step to PLCs. This question deals with planning, both as a PLC team and as an individual teacher. Effective Educators always have two eyes on planning, the teams plan and their own class plan. As a team a plan can be devised for sharing of resources and for common assessments. This leads to the second question.
Essential Question 2: How will you know if they have learned it?
Without this question being asked AND answered a PLC can never be effective and move into quadrant 4. This question is central to the value of the data the PLC will discuss and analyze.
Essential Question 3: What will you do when they do not know it? and
Essential Question 4: What will you do if they already know it?
The third and fourth essential questions are similar; ‘What will you do if they do not or already know it?’ These questions paired with the effective use of protocols enable PLCs to improve the value of their discourse. The use of protocols CAN NOT be overlooked in this equation. PLCs can function for years but not be effective until they employ the use of protocols. Protocols are designed to get to the heart of a topic and they keep the PLC discussion on topic. Think of protocols are an express highway with only a few exits. This express highway will get you to your destination in the shortest and easiest amount of time.